 Critical point of a rational map

For a nonconstant rational map, choose local source and target coordinates centred at $p$ and $R(p)$. If the local expression is $a{u}^e+O(u^{e+1})$ with $a\ne 0$, its local degree is $e$, and $p$ is critical exactly when $e\ge 2$. This definition covers poles and infinity; a simple pole is not critical merely because the usual finite-coordinate expression is unbounded. Coordinate changes have nonzero first derivatives and leave $e$ unchanged.